Technical article
Cleaning of food industry equipment and plants
LIGHT ABRASIVE BLASTING
Grease and contaminant removal with sodium bicarbonate
In the food industry, cleaning equipment and plants demands effective methods that leave no chemical residue and do not damage surfaces. Soda blasting —a form of light abrasive blasting— removes grease, oil, carbon, process residues, corrosion and paint quickly and eco-friendly.
CYM Materiales manufactures the equipment to apply it. Thanks to its non-toxic nature and its food-grade approval, bicarbonate replaces in many cases the usual cleaning chemicals and acids, making it ideal for meat plants, bottling lines, oil factories and food-processing plants.
How the process works
Sodium bicarbonate particles are driven by compressed air through the equipment and, on hitting the surface, produce an immediate cleaning. The process is done in a single pass, generates no contaminants, and since it does not recover the abrasive, it ensures a consistently optimal result.
It does not damage the equipment surfaces
• The softness of the bicarbonate crystals cleans without attacking the material: it keeps aluminum, stainless steel, marble, fiberglass and plastic in perfect condition.
• On fragile, delicate surfaces such as stainless steel or glass, it achieves optimal cleaning with no etching effect —key in food-contact equipment.
No prior preparation or contaminating effluents
• It requires no prior preparation or degreasing: the alkaline nature of bicarbonate also acts on greases and oils.
• It dissolves easily in water and can be discharged into effluent treatment systems or open water without contaminating, even reducing odors.
Why it is ideal for the food industry
What sets sodium bicarbonate apart in this sector is its sanitary profile: it cleans effectively without introducing risks to food or to operators.
• Food grade (FDA): bicarbonate is FDA-approved as a food-grade product, which makes it completely harmless to health.
• USDA approved: it is accepted as a cleaner by the USDA, with no special handling provisions.
• Non-toxic and non-irritant: not by inhalation, contact or ingestion, and it does not irritate eyes or skin (meets OSHA standards).
• Natural deodorizer: it neutralizes acidic and basic odors into a neutral state; especially effective on fumes, ash and strong smells.
• Replaces acids and chemicals: it removes oils and greases without conventional chemicals, with no toxic fumes, and is a beneficial agent for wastewater treatment.
Operational advantages
Beyond the sanitary profile, the system delivers concrete benefits in day-to-day cleaning:
• Fast cleaning of the toughest spots: it quickly removes the most adhered dirt, even in hard-to-reach places.
• Eases routine cleaning: it leaves a residual film on the surface that makes later cleanings faster, easier and more efficient.
• Saves time, labor and water: it almost entirely eliminates manual cleaning and requires low volumes of clean water.
• Practical and available: used with cold or hot pressurized water, and it uses standard, readily available compressed-air spare parts.
• Eco-friendly: biodegradable, water-soluble, non-flammable and with no fume emission.